Dictionary Home »
Dictionary Definitions » cockatoo
cockatoo
(käk′ə to̵̅o̅′, käk′ə to̵̅o̅′)
noun pl. cockatoos
any of a number of crested parrots (esp. genus Cacatua) of Australia and the East Indies, usually with predominantly white plumage, often tinged with yellow or pink
Origin: Du kaketoe < Malay kakatua; prob. echoic in orig., but < ? kakak, brother, sister + tua, old; sp. infl. by cock
See cockatoo in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. cock·a·toos
Any of various large parrots, especially of the genus Kakatoe of Australia and adjacent areas, characterized by a long erectile crest.
Origin:
Origin: Dutch kaketoe
Origin: , from Malay kakatua
.Learn more about cockatoo
